The best 10 NFL free agents on the open market

Tomorrow, the NFL will open its free-agent market with some of the bigger names all but unavailable and about half of the Indianapolis Colts to be had.

New Orleans placed the exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees, taking him off the market, which means several other Saints will be available.

Baltimore running back Ray Rice, Chicago running back Matt Forte, Kansas City wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson are some of the other blue-chip free agents who received the franchise tag.

Pittsburgh wide receiver Mike Wallace, the best of the restricted free agent market, was given the high tender, meaning for a team to sign him, it must give the Steelers a first- and a third-round draft pick.

Meanwhile, Indy not only said good-bye to quarterback Peyton Manning, who could have a new home tomorrow morning before the market opens in the afternoon, but also released running back Joseph Addai, tight end Dallas Clark, linebacker Gary Brackett and safety Melvin Bullitt. The Colts are also not expected to re-sign wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garçon and are attempting to trade pass rusher Dwight Freeney.

Manning, of course, is the biggest of the big names and will carry the most impact wherever he lands.

Here’s a list of the 10 best free agents, without any restrictions, who do not have a brother named Eli, available beginning today.

Robert Duyos/Sun Sentinel/MCTHouston's Mario Williams is in line for a monster contract.

• Mario Williams, DE/LB, Houston: The former No. 1 overall pick is coming off a pectoral injury that knocked him out last season. Still, he’s only 27 and was an All-Pro as a defensive end in a 4-3 set and showed he could adapt to outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Players as talented as Williams rarely become available. He’s going to have his pick of teams and a contract that is going to make him very happy.

• Carl Nicks, G, New Orleans: Nicks is one of the Saints, who is going to benefit from the Saints having to place the tag on Brees. If the team could have gotten a deal done with the quarterback, Nicks would have likely gotten the tag instead. Now, he’s able to test the waters, and as one of the best guards — if not the best — in the league, he’s going to have plenty of suitors.

• Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee: The Titans opted to put their tag on safety Michael Griffin, instead of Finnegan, leaving the 28-year-old cover corner to test the market. Tennessee may still try to resign a player, who has missed just three games in five years, but they may get some competition from Pittsburgh, Dallas and Chicago to name just a few possible suitors.

• Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego: The tags on Bowe and DeSean Jackson makes this Jackson more attractive for teams searching for wide receiver help. He’s still just 29, and in his last two full seasons, he’s caught at least 60 passes for over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns. It is widely believed that Washington is going to make a big pitch for him.

• Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay: Packers general manager Ted Thompson didn’t take the gamble to tag Flynn and then try to trade him. So Aaron Rodgers’ backup will get a chance to start somewhere. Miami, if it does not get Manning, is the likely spot, but Cleveland and Seattle will get into the mix as well.

• Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City: Carr, 25, has not missed a game in his four years in the league and has become a very good cornerback. He’s coming off a career-best four interceptions and continues to get better. The Chiefs want him back, but they may not be able to keep him. Dallas, if it does not Finnegan, will be a prime suitor.

• Chris Myers, C, Houston: One of the top centers in the game, Myers, 31, says he wants to return to Houston and very well might. But he’s going to see what’s available on the market first. If Green Bay does not re-sign Scott Wells, the Pack might be interested.

• Carlos Rogers, CB, San Francisco: The former No. 1 pick of the Washington Redskins, Rogers had his best season in his only year in San Francisco with six interceptions and 18 pass breakups. At 30, he may not field as many offers as Finnegan and Carr and should return to the 49ers.

• Ben Grubbs, G, Baltimore: The Ravens tried to re-sign the underrated 28-year-old lineman but couldn’t get a deal done. Now, it appears he’s heading elsewhere. Atlanta, Jacksonville and Carolina could all be potential destinations.

• Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans: The past three years, he’s caught 70. 84 and 80 passes and 24 total touchdown passes. He would be a lot higher on this list, but he’s had microfracture surgery on both knees, so teams might be a little hesitant.